Neurogenic growth factors in autism

In addition to their prominent role in certain types of cancer, genes in the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) pathway have been shown in animal models to be important for brain development. Animals with mutations in FGF genes, for instance, exhibit anatomical characteristics reminiscent of those observed in autism. Dr. Vaccarino plans to investigate these genes for variants associated with autism. Using samples she collected as well as those from Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE), she also plans to correlate changes in these genes associated with autism with changes in brain size and structures.